Robs First Watercooling Loop

[hmmblah]

Congrats on your first watercooled build!

 

[trawetSluaP]

The order doesnt really matter. Everything normalises anyway. Only suggestion id make is swap the inlet and outlet on the rad. It would allow short tubing.

Aside from that, welcome to the world of addictive watercooling! nice work

also.. your pump mount looks fine. Wouldnt worry too much about it unless you plan on shaking your case alot

I only suggested that change from an aesthetics point of view as (imo) it's make the tubing runs better.

 

[RobM]

It's much better

It's definitely something you will want to invest in and improve as you go.

Thanks

The order doesnt really matter. Everything normalises anyway. Only suggestion id make is swap the inlet and outlet on the rad. It would allow short tubing.

Aside from that, welcome to the world of addictive watercooling! nice work

also.. your pump mount looks fine. Wouldnt worry too much about it unless you plan on shaking your case alot

I was going to route that way but found it easier in terms of preventing kinks to go as I did.

When I do eventually go hardline I will make it more ascetics focused for sure.

 

[trawetSluaP]

Thanks


I was going to route that way but found it easier in terms of preventing kinks to go as I did.

When I do eventually go hardline I will make it more ascetics focused for sure.

Fair!

Congrats either way! Enjoy!

 

[Dark NighT]

Looking a lot better with the new pump and res, welcome in the world of watercooling!

 

[RobM]

How do I deal with potential increases in air pressure?
Is it enough to just loosen one of the plugs on the top res cap? Logic says it should be ok

 

[AlienALX]

If you have bled it and burped it and there are no bubbles left in the coolant then you can do up the res cap. You only need to worry about loop pressure when you have a lot in it. Like, a big CPU and GPU for example. You used to be able to get pressure release valves but they don't seem to be available any more.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/aqua...rane-for-1-4-inch-tall-version-wc-32w-aq.html

Actually yes you can.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-...686326?hash=item1a771f3fb6:g:CqYAAOSwaEZcdvIf

I would also add one of those to your wish list as the coolant temp is the most important temp of all.

 

[Warchild]

How do I deal with potential increases in air pressure?
Is it enough to just loosen one of the plugs on the top res cap? Logic says it should be ok

Yes thats fine. Curious what your coolant temp is like if you are thinking about air pressure. But only temporary to release the pressure. Dont leave it loose of your coolant will evaporate away.

 

[RobM]

If you have bled it and burped it and there are no bubbles left in the coolant then you can do up the res cap. You only need to worry about loop pressure when you have a lot in it. Like, a big CPU and GPU for example. You used to be able to get pressure release valves but they don't seem to be available any more.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/aqua...rane-for-1-4-inch-tall-version-wc-32w-aq.html

Actually yes you can.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-...686326?hash=item1a771f3fb6:g:CqYAAOSwaEZcdvIf

I would also add one of those to your wish list as the coolant temp is the most important temp of all.

Cheers matey thermometer added to my list.
Only the res has tiny little bubbles around its walls, I guess they will go in time.

Yes thats fine. Curious what your coolant temp is like if you are thinking about air pressure. But only temporary to release the pressure. Dont leave it loose of your coolant will evaporate away.

It pretty cool, not seen my cpu above 50c yet, I was more curious than worried about pressure.

 

[Warchild]

lol don't think I have once cared for monitoring coolant temp in my entire watercooling life.

The simple pump touch/ rad touch is enough for me. Or just looking at the waterdrops gathering in the top of the res. Even then, that has been once in a blue moon.

 

[AlienALX]

lol don't think I have once cared for monitoring coolant temp in my entire watercooling life.

The simple pump touch/ rad touch is enough for me. Or just looking at the waterdrops gathering in the top of the res. Even then, that has been once in a blue moon.

It's the most critical temp of all dude. You never want to see it above 63c. That is when things start to fail (tubing, the coolant itself etc). You can pretty much ignore anything else. That is why I have mine in the front of my case, right at the top lol.

 

[Warchild]

It's the most critical temp of all dude. You never want to see it above 63c. That is when things start to fail (tubing, the coolant itself etc). You can pretty much ignore anything else. That is why I have mine in the front of my case, right at the top lol.

I still dont see the point to monitor it. Coolant monitor is just icing on the cake of things that arent essential.

There are such easy tell tale signs that give a hint of a problem before you even get to 45C.

 

[Bartacus]

I monitor both coolant temp AND flow rate, but that's just because I like information, not that it's *needed*. But these days I think you'd be nuts NOT to have a temp sensor plug fitting in your loop. Most modern high end motherboards have headers for water temp, and they cost less than $10 in most places. It hurts nothing, is cheap, and provides decent information. Plus you can tie PWM fan curves to water temps if your motherboard lets you (works on my Gigabyte boards, not sure if Asus is with the program yet).

Congrats on your first loop Rob!

 

[Warchild]

I monitor both coolant temp AND flow rate, but that's just because I like information, not that it's *needed*. But these days I think you'd be nuts NOT to have a temp sensor plug fitting in your loop. Most modern high end motherboards have headers for water temp, and they cost less than $10 in most places. It hurts nothing, is cheap, and provides decent information. Plus you can tie PWM fan curves to water temps if your motherboard lets you (works on my Gigabyte boards, not sure if Asus is with the program yet).

Congrats on your first loop Rob!

I honestly see Robs future wages disappearing as his watercooling setup expands to the point he needs a bigger case to fit it. Then fills that new case with more WC parts and needs a bigger case again..

Wait that was my life. And Now I sit here with a 1000D of unnecessary size

 

[Bartacus]

I honestly see Robs future wages disappearing as his watercooling setup expands to the point he needs a bigger case to fit it. Then fills that new case with more WC parts and needs a bigger case again..

Wait that was my life. And Now I sit here with a 1000D of unnecessary size

I can't relate, I only have three fully built custom loops, two more half-built, and only one of which I use on a daily basis. Not to mention the ungodly amount of spare parts, fans, radiators, reservoirs, blocks, etc! There is a 'hoarder' element to water cooling for sure!

 

[AlienALX]

I still dont see the point to monitor it. Coolant monitor is just icing on the cake of things that arent essential.

There are such easy tell tale signs that give a hint of a problem before you even get to 45C.

A quick spike would indicate your pump had stopped. So it's saved me before. Pump was fine, just a loose wire. But I use the coolant temp above all to tell me if I have an issue.

I don't like relying on software. We've all seen how that can end recently.

 

[RobM]

I monitor both coolant temp AND flow rate, but that's just because I like information, not that it's *needed*. But these days I think you'd be nuts NOT to have a temp sensor plug fitting in your loop. Most modern high end motherboards have headers for water temp, and they cost less than $10 in most places. It hurts nothing, is cheap, and provides decent information. Plus you can tie PWM fan curves to water temps if your motherboard lets you (works on my Gigabyte boards, not sure if Asus is with the program yet).

Congrats on your first loop Rob!

Thank you

I honestly see Robs future wages disappearing as his watercooling setup expands to the point he needs a bigger case to fit it. Then fills that new case with more WC parts and needs a bigger case again..

Wait that was my life. And Now I sit here with a 1000D of unnecessary size

Sadly not worked for the past 4 years or so, or I would no doubt be all in hardline and gizmos

I can't relate, I only have three fully built custom loops, two more half-built, and only one of which I use on a daily basis. Not to mention the ungodly amount of spare parts, fans, radiators, reservoirs, blocks, etc! There is a 'hoarder' element to water cooling for sure!

I would love to be able indulge that much

A quick spike would indicate your pump had stopped. So it's saved me before. Pump was fine, just a loose wire. But I use the coolant temp above all to tell me if I have an issue.

I don't like relying on software. We've all seen how that can end recently.

Peace of mind never is a bad choice.


Added my wish list to OP, feel free to make more suggestions

 

[Bartacus]

Rob: when you go hard tube, have a peek at Barrow temp sensors and flow meters (heck I think they have a combo one that does both now too, not sure). They are very easy to incorporate cleanly into a loop, *if* you want that information easily visible. Of course they're more expensive than a $10 temp sensor plug, but if you want that info visible without needing to rely on software, well worth the $$$ IMO.

 

[AlienALX]

Screw hard tube. Just start tidying the loop by using the correct, and more of, fittings.

I would rather have tons of fittings in my arsenal than anything else.

 

[Warchild]

Screw hard tube. Just start tidying the loop by using the correct, and more of, fittings.

I would rather have tons of fittings in my arsenal than anything else.

And that is where i'm the polar opposite. I would rather have clean runs, and a minimalistic loop than a plethora of pointless rotaries, fittings and gadgets. But how about we don't force our own choices down his throat and let Rob ease into it.

That kind of debate is probably not the place for someone beginning with watercooling. Better that he gets comfortable with what he has and goes from there. It's meant to be an enjoyable hobby after all. And while you enjoy your soft tubing, I love the art of hard tube, heating bending and so on.

Its personal preference in the end, but lets not force it on him.